By Danielle Kutchel
A Narre Warren South P-12 College student has picked up one of the state’s most prestigious awards.
Melinda Rogerson, who graduated from the college last year, was awarded a Premier’s VCE Study Award in Sport and Recreation (VCE VET).
The award means she was one of the top-performing VCE students in the state for that subject in 2020.
Ms Rogerson said the award came as a shock, along with her outstanding VCE result.
“I remember the day ATARs got released I actually slept in because I wasn’t expecting anything super amazing; I just hoped that I’d get what I’d need for my course and that was it,” she said.
“So to log on and check and see that 50 study score, and then to find out from my school about this award was just so unbelievable and really made all the difficulties and uncertainties of the year worth it.”
The first year of the Covid pandemic was undoubtedly a challenging time to be a VCE student, and Ms Rogerson said she had some strategies to cope with the difficulties.
“I think knowing when to just step back and take a break really helped, and a large part of that was the support from my friends, family and school,” she explained.
“Even when we couldn’t meet in person, my friends and I would do weekly group calls just to get together and chat, and kind of forget about school and everything that was going on in the world for a couple of hours.”
She said her family and teachers were also supportive, with teachers reminding her that they could provide help even outside of school hours.
“They’d push me to never give up and to keep trying, and honestly the motivation I got from my teachers was probably one of the main reasons I did as well as I did,” Ms Rogerson said.
She recommended that this year’s students find something that motivates them to keep going, whether that be a study-tracking app or a reward for getting a certain amount of work done.
She said students should also remember to take regular breaks so that they don’t get overwhelmed by the study load.
“And remember: your teachers care,” she said.
“Even if it’s just one teacher you talk to, building a relationship with them is so beneficial, because they know the content and they know how to help, so make sure to use them and their skills because they really do want you to do well and to succeed.”
Ms Rogerson is now studying to be a teacher herself and is partway through a double degree Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Secondary Education and Bachelor of Science at Monash University, where she’s majoring in psychology and minoring in biology.
“I hope to become a secondary science teacher after uni, and I’ve actually just finished my first round of placement for my education course, so that was really an amazing experience and just sort of solidified that career choice for me,” she said.
“I’m also lucky enough to be working as a tutor in some schools when I’m not at uni, helping me to gain even more experience.”
Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas congratulated Ms Rogerson on her achievement.
“Melinda excelled in Sport and Recreation (VEC VET) with one of the top study scores in the state.
“This is a remarkable achievement that is a credit to her hard work and the support of her family, friends and Narre Warren South P-12 College,” he said.
“For Melinda to be so successful during such a challenging year shows her strength, resilience and determination.”
